to all;

[righteously]

Most of you long-timers know this already, so this is more a PSA for the folks we've gotten over the last few months that might not be aware yet.

My name's Dean. Me and Jo run a dive bar in the Horizon called the Roadhouse. It's wide open to any summoned that feels like swinging in. If you like decent imaginary beer or playing imaginary pool, you're welcome any time. If neither of us are behind the bar, it's self-serve.

Also, don't touch the jukebox or I'll kill you.

The main clientele we cater to is hunters, so we've got a board where people can leave a heads-up about anything monster-y you happen to run across out there in whatever faction you're holed up in. If you're looking for tips on a job, odds are you'll find somebody seasoned here to hook you up.

If you're a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed up-and-comer looking for a career change, look somewhere else. This ain't a recruitment ad.

( ooc: this is your helpful periodic reminder that The Roadhouse is wide open for anyone to use as a setting for their threads, if you're looking for a Horizon-neutral domain to use as an excuse for two characters to meet, or you need a neat backdrop with a dartboard, feel free to make use of it! The Jo player and I are also totally cool with handwaving Dean and Jo serving anyone that looks over the age of 18. Hit me on plurk at paingravy for any questions! )

Comments

[vengeanceinside]

["Demon hunter guy?" He's not the as-in-Rome guy chanting Latin.]

We kill them. Pretty simple.

[righteously]

You never need to lock 'em down long enough to do any interrogating first?
Maybe exorcise 'em if the host body's still alive?

[vengeanceinside]

[His next messages have some time before they come. This is where it gets complicated -- and where it makes him look like shit. But he did it, and he did it his whole life, ever since he was first knighted.]

Exorcism isn't a thing where I'm from. Once someone's possessed, they're gone. That's what was church doctrine, at least.

[And he leaves it there, for a second. That's the way it's supposed to be. But could the Order have known a way? To save them? Suddenly, he's not so sure. All his research into their papers didn't indicate they knew a way; the only thing that had mattered was the Ascension ceremony. Human to demon. Not the other way around.

Whatever. He doesn't owe the Order anything, and it's not why he pauses. But, hell, he's never gotten to talk shop with anyone but Dante, and they do the same damn thing. Just kill. That's all they've ever bothered with.]

The people I worked for, they had a guardian deity. Their followers were zealots to the core, so the belief was they'd be protected from demons, as good little worshippers. The church couldn't exactly have it known people can get possessed, no matter what god they believe in.

[Nero doesn't elaborate on the implication. The possessed were killed because no believer in Sparda could know there was nothing protecting them. That the power the Church tried to wield was mostly bullshit.] Not much need for interrogation at that point.

[righteously]

Jesus.

( It's all that comes through at first — only because it takes him a second to process it, to figure out how to say what he wants to say. )

I'm sorry to hear that. It sounds like some pretty standard fare religious hypocrisy bullshit, and it ain't ever fun being on the bad end of that stick. Hate that you got shafted by those douchebags. Nobody deserves that. Screw them.

Has anybody ever TRIED exorcism where you're from? Or do they just tell you it doesn't work and go on with their day?

[vengeanceinside]

[His response is delayed because, well. Fuck. It might be the first time anyone's ever any indicated something towards him that could be pity, or at least, like. Commiseration.

It's fucking weird.

He doesn't hate it. It's sort of just... there. Hanging awkwardly, like a lingering fart. It's all in the past for Nero, even if Fortuna still has plenty of Sparda worshippers hanging around. People who attribute the demons he kills to their Savior. Guess, in a way, they're right. Sparda's ass still hangs around in his blood, apparently.]

If they did, they sure as shit didn't tell some low-level knight like me. I was just the one they sent in to take care of the possessed.

[The implication of what he had to do to take care of them is pretty obvious.]

Besides, they were too busy all tryin' to turn themselves into demons and take over the world, anyway.

[righteously]

Weird how that's such a common thing across worlds.
If I had a nickel, you know?

( He'd have at least three nickels, which isn't a lot, but still. )

[vengeanceinside]

Guess people just really like turning themselves into real fuck-ugly monsters for power.